INDIANAPOLIS - John Navarre said Tom Brady s success gives hope to all Michigan quarterbacks who enter the NFL draft, regardless of which round they are chosen.
Brady, a sixth-round pick of the New England Patriots in 2000, is a two-time Super Bowl MVP.
“I think Tom s success has helped every Michigan quarterback who will ever play in the NFL, Navarre said. “That says something about the way we play quarterback at our school and the way guys prepare and work, and what kind of character they have. It says a lot for any guy who s ever played in those shoes.
“That s why it s such an honor and a privilege to be able to play quarterback at Michigan. That s why there are a lot of expectations put on you as soon as you step in the door.
“It s definitely a family and a small fraternity. Tom and Brian [Griese] and now Drew [Henson] is coming out - I was talking to him yesterday - it was just a family we had. We have a very good bond with each other and it says something for all of us.
Navarre, a 6-6, 246-pound fifth-year senior, said Brady “taught me a lot of what I know. He was a great leader.
Navarre, a three-year starter for the Wolverines, tossed 24 touchdown passes this past season en route to being named first-team All-Big Ten and becoming a finalist for the Johnny Unitas Award. He was the first quarterback in school history to pass for more than 3,000 yards in a season and 9,000 in his career.
Navarre also finally silenced his critics by beating rival Ohio State in the regular-season finale, which gave Michigan its first outright Big Ten title since 1997. He completed 26 of 46 passes for 271 yards and a touchdown in the Rose Bowl, but the Wolverines lost 28-14 to USC, which claimed the No. 1 spot in the final Associated Press poll.
Navarre, one of five Wolverines attending the NFL scouting combine, believes the rough times at Michigan have made him a tougher player.
“I m prepared for any situation, I can handle any situation. That s part of this league, obviously, he said. “Being at a school like Michigan, where the quarterback is always under fire and under question, I was there for 31/2 years and was part of that. I believe I can handle that and am prepared to handle those type of situations.
Navarre is projected as a fourth-round pick and said he has been working on his footwork and body positioning at the scouting combine, so he can be successful in the NFL.
“It s huge in the league, getting your feet and your body in the right position, Navarre said. “But I think your preparation and passing and studying of the game has to excel. Everything has to step up a level in order to be able to compete in the NFL.
Navarre, who graduated in December with a degree in communications, finished his Michigan career as the school s all-time leading passer with 9,254 yards and a school-record 72 touchdowns. He also holds school marks for career attempts (1,366) and completions (765).
“John had a great career at Michigan - he has nothing to be ashamed of, offensive tackle Tony Pape said.
Navarre is considered one of the top 10 quarterbacks in the April draft. He joins former teammate Henson - who is trying to work out a trade from the Houston Texans to another NFL team - Mississippi s Eli Manning, Miami s Ben Roethlisberger (Findlay High School), North Carolina State s Philip Rivers, Tulane s J.P. Losman, Washington s Cody Pickett, Louisiana Tech s Luke McCown, Bowling Green s Josh Harris and Michigan State s Jeff Smoker.
“John Navarre is a winner, ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. said. “He exudes confidence and walks around like he knows what he s doing. He has the demeanor of a veteran. He throws a nice ball, but he s a pocket passer. He won t beat you with his legs. He ll need help from his offensive line to succeed.
“Navarre is accurate, but not always precise. He also doesn t have that snap delivery. Navarre s the kind of guy that in the second or third round, someone will take a shot at it. After all, he s a big, smart, experienced quarterback. He took a lot of criticism at Michigan and handled it well.
First Published February 23, 2004, 2:49 p.m.
